[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-53px|||||”][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”1640px” custom_padding=”0px|||0px||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”2.5em” custom_padding=”|125px||123px||”]<\/p>\n
My house is quiet. Blais started school and my two older boys are away at college. One morning, I was going down the stairway of my house and noticed the silence. <\/span><\/p>\n It brought up a memory of a routine I had before the summer began –\u00a0a routine set around a predictable weekly schedule, helped by the absence of concert tours and out-of-town, in-person events.<\/span><\/p>\n I’ve never before had a routine that lasted over a year (courtesy of the pandemic).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I observed the feeling of comfort and a sense of peace that came over me. Then this feeling of comfort triggered another thought about how much I can get done in that space of silence and dedicated time without distractions. <\/span><\/p>\n And that particular thought created a feeling of excitement and stirred up my creative energy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I took a breath, paused those thoughts, and focused on the fact that first, I needed to take care of tasks that piled up while I was tending to summer activities and my sons\u2019 needs. LOL.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are slowly settling into a routine,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0wrote my son’s\u00a0teacher\u00a0in an email,\u00a0\u201cso now, we can begin to work.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”2.5em” custom_padding=”|3px||7px||”]<\/p>\n My house is quiet. Blais started school and my two older boys are away at college. One morning, I was going down the stairway of my house and noticed the silence. <\/span><\/p>\n It brought up a memory of a routine I had before the summer began –\u00a0a routine set around a predictable weekly schedule, helped by the absence of concert tours and out-of-town, in-person events.<\/span><\/p>\n I’ve never before had a routine that lasted over a year (courtesy of the pandemic).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I observed the feeling of comfort and a sense of peace that came over me. Then this feeling of comfort triggered another thought about how much I can get done in that space of silence and dedicated time without distractions. <\/span><\/p>\n And that particular thought created a feeling of excitement and stirred up my creative energy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I took a breath, paused those thoughts, and focused on the fact that first, I needed to take care of tasks that piled up while I was tending to summer activities and my sons\u2019 needs. LOL.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe are slowly settling into a routine,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0wrote my son’s\u00a0teacher\u00a0in an email,\u00a0\u201cso now, we can begin to work.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/tatianacameron.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/FINAL_Blog-Banner-TC.com-5.png” title_text=”FINAL_Blog Banner TC.com (5)” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”2.5em” custom_padding=”|122px||123px||”]<\/p>\n Routines are such an interesting thing.\u00a0We do better with routines (because they bring order and a sense of predictability), and yet, no matter how strict we are at keeping them (or trying to keep them), they always change.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n We change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Each morning we wake up a day older.<\/span><\/p>\n The seasons change and the world around us changes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our friends’ and family members\u2019 lives change.\u00a0And when they have an unexpected need, we adjust our routines to be with them and help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I see routines as times that provide us with\u00a0safety, comfort, and space to become strong. They allow us\u00a0to spend some time in introspection, prayer, to become aware of the many ways we are supported, to learn and develop tools we need to handle difficult emotional, mental, and physical situations.<\/span><\/p>\n These are times in which we take care of ourselves – our bodies, minds, and spirits, so that we can handle life\u2019s unpredictable storms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, routines can also be \u2018traps\u2019 in which we get too comfortable.<\/strong>\u00a0We can put our minds, hearts, and spirits on \u2018autopilot’, and miss out on all the good self-care and personal (emotional, mental, and spiritual) development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s where having a regular practice that helps you observe your thoughts, emotions, and actions can help. It could be journaling,\u00a0a mindfulness activity (mindful breathing, single-tasking,\u00a0mindful eating, etc),\u00a0meditation, or contemplative prayer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What are some of the ways that help your routine be a positive structure within which you can grow and expand?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Taking\u00a0spontaneous trips\u00a0or going on adventures \u2018on a whim\u2019 can be enjoyable practices in letting go of the routine and learning to preserve a sense of calm.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”2.5em”]<\/p>\n Routines are such an interesting thing.\u00a0We do better with routines (because they bring order and a sense of predictability), and yet, no matter how strict we are at keeping them (or trying to keep them), they always change.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n We change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Each morning we wake up a day older.<\/span><\/p>\n The seasons change and the world around us changes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Our friends’ and family members\u2019 lives change.\u00a0And when they have an unexpected need, we adjust our routines to be with them and help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I see routines as times that provide us with\u00a0safety, comfort, and space to become strong. They allow us\u00a0to spend some time in introspection, prayer, to become aware of the many ways we are supported, to learn and develop tools we need to handle difficult emotional, mental, and physical situations.<\/span><\/p>\n These are times in which we take care of ourselves – our bodies, minds, and spirits, so that we can handle life\u2019s unpredictable storms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, routines can also be \u2018traps\u2019 in which we get too comfortable.<\/strong>\u00a0We can put our minds, hearts, and spirits on \u2018autopilot’, and miss out on all the good self-care and personal (emotional, mental, and spiritual) development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s where having a regular practice that helps you observe your thoughts, emotions, and actions can help. It could be journaling,\u00a0a mindfulness activity (mindful breathing, single-tasking,\u00a0mindful eating, etc),\u00a0meditation, or contemplative prayer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What are some of the ways that help your routine be a positive structure within which you can grow and expand?\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Taking\u00a0spontaneous trips\u00a0or going on adventures \u2018on a whim\u2019 can be enjoyable practices in letting go of the routine and learning to preserve a sense of calm.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”46px”]<\/p>\n Music<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”2.5em” custom_padding=”|125px||123px||”]<\/p>\n For 15 years, my \u2018routine\u2019 was touring as a family. Travelling wasn\u2019t the hard part. It was switching between tours and a \u2018home\u2019 routine. <\/span><\/p>\n